Northrop Grumman advances sensing technology for space domain awareness

Written by Copernical Team Thursday, 01 June 2023 10:38

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Colorado Springs CO (SPX) May 31, 2023

In a significant leap for space domain awareness, Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) has announced the successful completion of the Critical Design Review (CDR) and a software demonstration for the U.S. Space Force's Deep-Space Advanced Radar Capability Program (DARC). This announcement comes just one year after the contract award, demonstrating Northrop Grumman's ability to swiftly meet k

Commercial UAV Expo | Sept 5-7, 2023 | Las Vegas

Northrop Grumman advances sensing technology for space domain awareness
by Staff Writers
Colorado Springs CO (SPX) May 31, 2023

In a significant leap for space domain awareness, Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) has announced the successful completion of the Critical Design Review (CDR) and a software demonstration for the U.S. Space Force's Deep-Space Advanced Radar Capability Program (DARC). This announcement comes just one year after the contract award, demonstrating Northrop Grumman's ability to swiftly meet key milestones.

The CDR process marks an important phase in the development of DARC, setting the project on course for Factory Acceptance Testing of key subsystems, scheduled to commence later this year.

"DARC will be the first to provide an all-weather, at all times capability in support of the space domain awareness mission that's critical to national and global security," said Pablo Pezzimenti, vice president of integrated national systems at Northrop Grumman. "The successful critical design review is a demonstration of our ability to develop a complex, advanced system with agility and speed."

Presently, the ground-based optical systems that monitor space operate only at night and are significantly impacted by weather conditions. With DARC, Northrop Grumman aims to deliver an all-weather, round-the-clock capability to keep an eye on the rapidly evolving geosynchronous orbital environment. This would dramatically enhance the nation's space domain awareness.

DARC will act as an additional sensor to augment the military's space surveillance network. The goal is to keep a constant watch over deep space objects and eventually provide full global coverage.

Northrop Grumman's accomplishment represents a significant advancement in sensing technology for space domain awareness. It reinforces the company's commitment to develop innovative solutions to pressing national and global security challenges.